Sex-workers-clients 'no condom, no sex' slogan in Aba brothels - SRD/HIV/AIDS prevention approach in Aba, Abia state, Nigeria.
Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. C10368)
Eremutha F, Feysetan OI, Awoyinfa F Pathfinder International, Lagos, Nigeria
Aba, a major commercial center i Abia state, Nigeria is home to about 2 million people of diverse culture and occupation in small, medium, and large scale business transaction. It is noted for the production of textile, leather, and toiletries. STD/HIV/AIDS knowledge and condom use among high-risk (sex workers and clients) resident is very low, which could be a major factor for high HIV prevalence rate of 3.3 percent in the state (2001, Nigeria HIV/SYPHILIS Sentinel Sero-Prevalence survey). Moreover, at least a brothel in every 16 square kilometer radius could be located providing unprotected sex service to clients thereby increasing STD/HIV/AIDS transmission. In other to the halt continuing spread of STD/HIV/AIDS, a USAID-funded integrated reproductive health service project was implemented through a private facility (Saint Anthony Hospital, Aba) to render comprehensive health services to high-risk residents of Aba and its environs. This overall goal was achieved within the first 2 years of project implementation through advocacy, establishment of service points, capacity building, and behaviour change communication strategies. In addition STD/HIV/AIDS awareness was increased substantially through get-together activities while 'no condom no sex' was greatly adhered to both sex workers and their clients. Also, while about 25 brothels were constantly provided with condom, about N1 million was equally realized from the sale of condom within the first 2 year project take-off. The income generated from condom sale were ploughed back to re-purchase when donor funding ends. These achievements were linked to community involvement, monitoring visits, and support by the free space provided for the brothel-based services.
Keywords: AEGIS, Condoms, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Prostitution, Unsafe Sex, HIV Seropositivity, Coitus, HIV Infections, Sex, Prevalence, HIV Seroprevalence, Nigeria, Humans, prevention & control
